Part of our discussion was about a YouTube video clip from the movie, Alive Inside.

Here is the video. This is one of the main reasons I think I sing. What is interesting in all of this is that I took a break from singing over 10 weeks ago, to work on some Lent/Easter related programming here at the church, and to think some things through.

Today was the "first day" of my return to singing as part of my ministry, and in that day, I have a great meeting about singing in nursing homes, and then Eston shares that I need to see the video below.

This is one of the main reasons that I sing, not for profit, but for others.

Enjoy . . . and it you can keep from crying, I guess you are stronger than I am.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Yep, I have things pretty much finalized. I will be providing therapeutic music entertainment (aka. concerts") at 3 area nursing homes (1st, 2nd and 3rd Mondays), and also singing for children in hospitals a couple of times a month on Wednesday mornings. I will sing in Ft. Worth on the occasional Friday. Some solo, some with the guys from Hugworks, or with guys from our church guitar group.

My initial 6 week break during Lent ended up lasting about 10 weeks . . . all good. I am ready to get back into singing, playing guitar, and using music to help heal people's hearts, souls, lives and relationships.

Truth be told . . . I missed singing. But then you knew that.

Thank you to all who have been encouraging me and asking when I would be singing again. I would more than anything appreciate your prayers, as my work at the church has to come first, although singing in the nursing homes is actually part of my church ministry.

On May 3rd, I am singing for the 3rd graders at a school in Grapevine, TX during a Career Day event. That night I am singing for a bunch of retired former Boy Scout Executives at their annual gathering.

Should be fun . . . better change the strings on the guitars, get a new amp cord and get new songs memorized.

Some have recently asked about my return to a regular schedule of singing.

Beginning in May, it looks like I will again be singing at several area nursing homes on the 1st and 3rd Mondays.

And it looks like, as my schedule permits, I will be singing again with the Hugworks guys (Jim Newton, Paul Hill and Larry Dykstra) at several area children's hospitals on some Wednesdays and/or Fridays.

I will also be accepting a few other singing opportunities in the community, as well as with the Boy Scouts and other civic groups. Again, as my schedule allows.

It's all about balance. But I'm not balanced in mind, heart or soul unless I'm doing some singing and guitar playing.

Although I did not get to attend, I was able to spend the afternoon over at the Grapevine Guitar Works showroom helping Sean and guys set up for the Road Show, and getting to visit again with our area Taylor Rep, J.R., and with Cory from the Road Show staff.

Awesome people. Hard working, and man do they know their stuff!

I got to play one of the most awesome Taylor 6 strings, a GS Custom BTO (one-of-a-kind) full bodied with s sinker redwood top and mahogany back and sides.

Mercy . . . what a guitar!

Just the most incredible Taylor I have ever played, and truly, the only 6 string Taylor I would have purchased if I had the money.

Seriously . . . just a fantastic guitar. My favorite Taylor steel string is the 8-string baritone . . . if that gives you a clue about how great this guitar was.

And here is the kicker ... I was playing the guitar outside on the patio, unplugged!! I thought redwood was not supposed to be as loud or as full as spruce. However, this guitar projected which was no doubt due to the mahogany back and sides.

Mercy . . . I enjoyed playing that guitar.

Is it me, or are there a lot of great guitars out and about these days?

For only the 3rd time in the past 6 years of this blog, I am changing the name . . . well, for a while at least.

The first name was "Maker of a Joyful Noise."

Then, "Rick Mang Music (RM2)."

And now . . . "Rick's Songbag!"

Why the change?

Well, I just ordered a copy of Carl Sandburg's book, The American Songbag. Not only was Sandburg a great poet, but he was also a noted collector and performer of American folk music, compiling in his life the words and music to 290 songs sung by Americans over many years.

I am starting to compile my own list of folk songs and such, as I work up a music set of "family friendly " songs for some future local singing engagements I hope to take part in. So, I thought I would document some of my research here . . . thus the name to "Rick's Songbag!"

I know, I know, you wish you would have thought of it first, no??

All kidding aside, this past year of grieving the loss of my co-worker and friend, Ken Diehm, has taught me a lot about myself, especially the things I hold as being important. A fruit of this journey has been how easy it has become for me to say "NO!" to all the things that aren't important to me, things that take away my precious time.

A painful journey, but a good journey, one that I am glad I put the effort into.

So, I am becoming more focused again on my ministry at FUMC-Grapevine. I am going to resume singing at 3 area nursing homes again in the next month. I will continue to provide Therapeutic Music Entertainment as a volunteer at Hugworks, singing to children in area hospitals as my schedule allows. I will post those dates and locations on the blog.

And, I am going to develop my own personal list/set/catalog of my favorite "family friendly" songs, and continue to help children, youth and adults learn to sing together.

THANKS FOR DROPPING IN . . .

USING A NEW MAP . . .

The blog of Rev. Rick Mang, a United Methodist clergyman who lives in Texas where he serves as pastor of a church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Rick writes about his changing views (and past regrets) on theology, the vital significance of personal spiritual formation, personal and ministry planning and organization, new ideas about funding Christian ministry, and other items of interest to himself and possibly to others.

Rick is also a Certified Therapeutic Music Entertainer who regular sings for senior adults in area nursing, rehab and retirement homes, and in senior activity centers. Rick also sings for different church and community groups and events as his schedule allows. For more information about Therapeutic Music Entertainment, singing to senior adults, or to start a music conversation, please email Rick at revrickmang@gmail.com.

This blog is dedicated in the loving memory of Wilburn Joseph Laughin, 1/18/1953 - 9/5/2014

DISCLAIMER . . .

It goes without saying . . .

The thoughts, opinions, ideas, stories, meditations, prayers, and other information written anywhere on this blog are usually my own ramblings and responses to things I have seen, heard, read or witnessed. I write out of the ever changing and conflicted struggle that exists between my head and my heart as I try to live out my life mission in the best and most productive way I can.

What I write or share in no way reflects the views of any church, denomination, political party, friend, relative, writer, musical group, musician friend, artist, fishing buddy, fellow hiker, walker, other blogger, city, state, county, nation, or for that matter anybody else you possibly could ever hope to think of.

Sometimes, the words and thoughts of others are so well written, and touch me so deeply, that I am moved to share them. When and if I share the words and thoughts of others, I honestly try to give and acknowledge appropriate credit, and will do so if you bring it to my attention that I haven't.

CHILDREN'S WORSHIP CD

Rick still has copies of his Children's Worship CD ... contact him by email at revrickmang@gmail.com to get a copy! Postage paid in the US. Donations are accepted. Free if that's how you want it.